October 27, 2016
Sale will soon have its own shared fruit, vegetable and herb garden located between Lake Guthridge and Lake Gyatt, as part of a project to bring together and educate different sections of the community on health, wellbeing, sustainability and environment.
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said the Australian Government would fund $10,000 towards the implementation and development of the “Seed” project.
Mr Chester said the $10,000 in funding would be delivered under the Federal Government’s Stronger Communities Program.
“The shared garden is a great initiative that will be owned by the community, for the benefit of the community,” Mr Chester said.
“Gardening has a range of social and health benefits and this project will bring together people of different ages and backgrounds, giving them a chance to learn new skills and help others.
“It’s important all levels of government work together with community groups to promote social inclusion and healthy activities, and Seed, Sale’s lakeside community garden project, is a great example of locals leading the way in making our regional towns stronger.”
Sale Central Rotary Club member Shae Wilson initiated the project, saying she wanted to develop the garden to create a community hub that allowed participants from a diverse range of backgrounds to become involved in not only the development, but also the management of the project.
“We will be inviting people from different cross-sections of the community, including the elderly, retired, youth and socially vulnerable, to come along and get their hands dirty in the garden,” Mrs Wilson said.
The project’s development has been strongly endorsed by local organisations including Sale Central Rotary Club and the Wellington Shire Council and will be in partnership with a wide range of local community organisations including a local disengaged youth programme supported by Sale Central Rotary, Sale Police and Youth In Search.
Sale Central Rotary President Mr Raj Mani said club members were eager to assist in the project.
“One of the benefits of Seed is we’ll be able to utilise its produce for our weekly Monday Night Tucker dinners at Sale Memorial Hall, where we provide free meals to the community,” Mr Mani said.
“For some local people, this is the only substantial meal they will receive that day, and it is great to think we will be able to serve produce that locals have grown and harvested in our own local community garden.”
Any individuals or organisations wanting to become involved in the project either by way of volunteering or financial assistance can contact the Seed – Sale’s Lakeside Community Garden email seedcommunitygarden@gmail.com
Caption: Rotary Club of Sale Central President Raj Mani, project founder Shae Wilson, Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester and Rotary Club of Sale Central member Michael Page.
